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Connor Parker is determined to pick up where he left off and nudge back towards being a contender in the super lightweight division.
He sees action again on a BCB Promotions offering at the Willows (Bath Street), in Willenhall, as part of a Sunday afternoon show on March 27.
Parker engages in competitive combat for the first time since March 2020, where his pro record moved to 13-1, with one TKO to his credit.
The blip on that ledger was a 2019 stoppage loss to Sam Maxwell, with the WBO European title on the line, which ended in the seventh round.
He’s been a champion, though, having lifted the Midlands crown a year earlier, when Kevin Hooper retired on his stool, at the end of five rounds. The belt was later vacated.
The 27-year-old southpaw, from Swadlincote, reckons he’s reaching his peak, as a pro, and wants to follow cousin Zach’s lead, who is chasing world honours.
Parker has been a national title winner, at amateur level, where he clocked up 67 bouts, with 49 wins, and claimed NABC (National Association of Boys Clubs) glory in 2012 and 2013.
Top-class sparring has got him sharp again, but ring time has been scarce, which Parker is keen to redress by getting active again.
He said: “I’m ready to go. I’ve sparred with Ryan Walsh (former British featherweight champion) and Huey Malone (international amateur boxer), so I’m warming back into it.
“We are a boxing family, my dad trains me and Zach is doing really well for himself. The levels that he’s reaching inspires me to keep chasing my dreams.
“I’d love for us to be on a big show together, he was on the card when I made my pro debut and we won the Haringey Box Cup (medals, 2013) on the same day, once upon a time!
“I’ve only been on TV once, against Sam (Maxwell) and I think I’ve improved a lot since then. I learned a lot, from losing that night, that I can take into next time.
“My last fight was, literally, just before the first lockdown (due to the Coronavirus pandemic). If it had been a week later, it would have been called off, so I was relieved to get out.
“I was a bit tense, for the first couple of rounds, which might have been down to coming back from a loss, but I settled down after that, relaxed and didn’t rush my work.
“The time out has freshened me up, if anything, although I’d have preferred to be further on in my career. I’ve been boxing since I was nine and I had my first fight when I was 11.
“I had a lot of amateur fights and then went straight to pro, so I hadn’t really had a break, but I just want to pick up where I left off now.
“I can’t believe it’s nearly been 10 years since I won my first amateur title and I’m reaching my prime years as a pro now. I’ve got to make the most of it.
“I’ve won the Midlands title, my dream is to be the British champion and I’d love a shot at the English title. Billy Allington has got it and I beat him in the amateurs, so you never know.”
Tickets for the Willows bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
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